Nature and Landscape Photography

This set of exercises focuses on the natural environments within GTA V, encouraging participants to explore and document the virtual flora and landscapes. By adopting different perspectives and utilising in-game tools, they will capture the beauty and complexity of the game’s nature while also reimagining and reshaping it. The task is to engage with the digital environment as photographers, botanists, and landscape architects, creating a unique portfolio of images that reflect their exploration and creativity.

Exercise 1: Botanical exploration

Head to the mountainous regions and begin exploring the in-game vegetation, focusing on the diverse trees and plants. Drawing inspiration from Ryohei Takahashi’s approach, photographically categorise the flora as a botanist would. Capture detailed images of various plant species, meticulously documenting their unique characteristics and features. Look at Anna Atkins’ Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions to learn more about the history of photography of nature, as well as Alan Butler’s Virtual Botany Cyanotypes project. Think about what elements create the landscapes of the game and attempt to scientifically categorise them.

Create a small taxonomy of elements that construct the game landscape. Compile a short collection of fifteen to thirty images, accompanied by definition and description of their properties in the style of a botanic manual. Additionally, write an artist statement of 200 to 300 words.

Exercise 2: Algorithmic landscape photography

Expand your exploration by using Menyoo to control the camera, allowing you to thoroughly investigate the construction of nature as you navigate through the area of Mount Josiah and the Zancudo river. Use Thomas Hawranke’s project OoB as a starting point to rethink landscape photography-inspired screenshots that showcase the game's depiction of natural environments and the construction of its geography. Look at the tradition of American landscape photography in the images of Ansel Adams, and how this can be re-imagined for the algorithmic mountains, lakes and rivers of the game 3D world.

Create a series of ten to twenty images of algorithmically constructed landscapes. Additionally, write an artist statement of 200 to 300 words.

Exercise 3: Designing virtual nature

Use Scene Creator, or write a custom script to 'build' nature by adding plants and rocks. Envision new sceneries by utilising game assets to shape novel landscapes. Experiment with various configurations and compositions to design unique and imaginative natural environments within the game. Think of landscape as a medium and game landscape as something you can reconfigure through different understanding of 'natural' elements – from photorealistic simulations of flora an fauna to surrealistic interpretation of what the game landscape can be. Learn about the tradition of Land Art and the works of artists like Robert Smithson and Nancy Holt, to get inspired about the relationship between natural landscapes and art, as well as about themes of ecology and environment. Make your way to the Grand Senora Desert and modify the environment to create possible forms of 'Game Land Art', imagining transformative experiences for the player. Try to modify the game map using CodeWalker and document your project through a series of screenshots.

Create a series of five to ten images documenting your built landscapes, and include the custom script or map files if you have used them for the project. Additionally, write an artist statement of 200 to 300 words.